In the “House Divided” Speech given by Abraham Lincoln, he makes the statement “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” This statement, coming from the Bible, sets up the image of the United States being like a house. Lincoln uses this metaphor to show that nothing good will come from the United States being separated into the Union and the Confederacy and it would soon fall. He supports his claim by saying that the U.S. would either have to resolve to every state being a slave state, or no slave states at all.
Throughout the speech, Lincoln shows his understanding of the current problems in the United States by giving information about the “Dred Scott Decision” and “Squatter Sovereignty”. This shows his credibility and increases his chances of winning the presidency. He shows that he knows what is going on and has ways to solve each problem. These paragraphs provide an exposition to the rhetorical questions he uses later on in the speech.
To conclude his speech, Lincoln uses a series of rhetorical questions such as “But how can we do it best?” and “Does Douglas believe an effort to revive that trade is approaching?” to show that his opponent isn’t going to make any changes to the United States and the division between the North and the South. He then contradicts himself and says that his intention is to not “ misrepresent Judge Douglas' position, question his motives or do ought that can be personally offensive to him”. Lincoln uses this strategy so he does not come across to the public as offensive, but still gets his point about his opponent stated.
The main purpose of the speech is to make the public think about the issues of slavery and how nothing good will come from a division. Lincoln means to say that the United States has to stand together in order to be successful in the future.
Group: Marisa, Anna, Kailee
Throughout the speech, Lincoln shows his understanding of the current problems in the United States by giving information about the “Dred Scott Decision” and “Squatter Sovereignty”. This shows his credibility and increases his chances of winning the presidency. He shows that he knows what is going on and has ways to solve each problem. These paragraphs provide an exposition to the rhetorical questions he uses later on in the speech.
To conclude his speech, Lincoln uses a series of rhetorical questions such as “But how can we do it best?” and “Does Douglas believe an effort to revive that trade is approaching?” to show that his opponent isn’t going to make any changes to the United States and the division between the North and the South. He then contradicts himself and says that his intention is to not “ misrepresent Judge Douglas' position, question his motives or do ought that can be personally offensive to him”. Lincoln uses this strategy so he does not come across to the public as offensive, but still gets his point about his opponent stated.
The main purpose of the speech is to make the public think about the issues of slavery and how nothing good will come from a division. Lincoln means to say that the United States has to stand together in order to be successful in the future.
Group: Marisa, Anna, Kailee